Berserker Man

Berserker Man is a middling novel in Saberhagen's long running Berserker series. The central idea in the series has proved a popular one in terms of audience reception for the stories based on it that Saberhagen put out. This particular novel explores one variation, where a human might have within him a Berserker component or controller. And where he is distinct from "goodlife", which are the organic traitors to all life, that work for Berserkers. In all Saberhagen's novels, goodlife are depicted as the lowest of traitors, to the extent that anything is shown about them. A striking contrast to the protagonist here. Whose eventual human side wins out. Somewhat puzzling that there are no prior reviews. The book has been around since the early 90s. Then again, perhaps this also indicates that it was only a modest success with readers. As an aside: If you like this series, there is not much more. And certainly nothing new is likely to emerge at this point in 2008, since the author died last year. The most we can hope for is the release of any unpublished manuscripts. Perhaps Saberhagen's estate can let another author take up the Berserker theme? Someone well versed in hard military science fiction. Say Pournelle, Stirling or Weber.

This was one of the first sci-fi books I read as a kid. I've re-read it many times since then (over the last 20 years) and it always sets my hair on end. This is more of an "epic" climax than the other beserker books in the series. It has what feels to be an ultimate conclusion that will stay with you for years after reading the book.